Urs is a rare and challenging character. We — fandom in general — usually prefer our heroines bright, witty and strong... everything with which Urs isn't initially endowed. I've found some sister characters for her in George Eliot's novels, but, really, very few patterns for depicting someone like Urs as she begins, and then helping her grow into herself (not into someone more conventional).

I have in mind that LesMis (Nick/Urs) story that I've been wanting to write since before this year's FKFicFest. Urs is challenging because of her unusual traits. I want to be sure to write her as herself, and not accidentally turn her into someone else -- someone more typical.

I haven't written a "just because" story, a story for no event or exchange, just my own FK inclinations, in a very long time. I hoped it might be a happy thing to try!

-----Thank you for the great song recommendation!

I wasn't familiar with this song, but the lyrics and music video are both out and about. After listening and reading, I purchased a copy of the song (it's currently available in the US on both Google Play Music and Amazon Prime Music for $1.29, while the original album CD goes for over $100!). The song is going right into my overall FK playlist; thank you for the recommendation!

The tone and the first verse are very, very Urs. Those have an extremely strong, immediately recognized resonance with her. The phrase "went out walking" irresistibly calls to mind those scenes from "Hearts of Darkness," and the experience of "all the things I should have said / Echo now" also curls right around the character.

Then, on that first listen/read -- despite lines like "all day I keep from falling apart / But at night at night when the sky gets dark" -- the other verses seemed to me to wander away from Urs. Love lost isn't her tale... or is it? On my second listen, I reconsidered the lyrics as directly referencing the father who abandoned her family, and only tangentially or reflexively referencing Vachon and other men who have passed through her life.

There is enough substance here to speak of Urs as a character who is both simple and complex, transparent and multi-layered.

(The album's Wikipedia entry notes that the sing was featured on the Charmed soundtrack, and also Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life.)

-----LJ wouldn't let me post replies all week. Fingers crossed that it's working again now! It seems to be working as long as I don't use the "Check spelling and preview" option. That option seems to break something.

I'm glad the song works for you. I had it on my FK-associated CD. I'm not sure where it originally came from. There might even be an FK video out there, probably from Kristen. But I don't recall which character she featured in it. Have to look up my VCDs.

Yes, I've also associated the “lost love“ part with the father figures in Urs' life. Who brought her nothing but disappointment.

I'm sorry that LJ is causing you difficulties. I probably should have replied on DW. Is that what you prefer? For me, when I'm in a hurry and use my kindle to reply instead of my laptop computer, it's more convenient to use LJ. I can do that via the LJ app while DW goes over the browser. The problem with the browser is that the autocorrection wants to turn every word I type into a German word. So I have to confirm every single word, which is annoying with lengthy replies. The LJ app doesn't do that and allows me to type away.

Normally, LJ works fine and presents no problems. I personally prefer DW, but I certainly don't object to others using LJ! Usually, the experience is fairly seamless between the two.

But LJ has been malfunctioning in various ways for about two weeks now (so much so that LJ has been handing out paid time to apologize to affected accounts). The continued malfunctions are annoying. I hope that LJ gets back to normal soon!